Category Archives: Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem

Hospital Parking Fees: An Issue Of Health Inequity

Posted on May 20, 2013 by

As is well-documented in this space, I adopted two children with special needs. Both are followed by 2+ departments at local hospitals and adding in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, I would say that on average, we have five appointments a month … Continue reading →

Posted in Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Family Life, Health Equity, Heath Care, Human Rights, Ma Famille, Parenting, Parenting Children With Special Needs, The Political, The topical | 8 Comments

Connect With Them, Connect With Yourself, Connect With Others…

Posted on April 17, 2013 by

Thank you for the lovely comments on the last post. Blogging is wonderful for me for many reasons, not only because of the lovely people you meet, but because it also makes you realize you really don’t have all the answers. … Continue reading →

Posted in Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Inventing My Life, Journeying, Ma Famille, Oh so Blessed, Repairing Damage, Simple Living and Reducing Stress, Simple Parenting, Simplicity | 4 Comments

Our Community Garden Year 1 – With Children

Posted on March 24, 2013 by

Last summer we were very blessed to receive a plot in a community garden in the area we wanted to live. At the time we were living about 40-60 minutes away, waiting and hoping to be able to move. The … Continue reading →

Posted in $60 Week Grocery Budget, 100 Ways To Save Money, 100 Ways To Save Money on Food in 2013, 2013 Goals, Allotment Life, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Community Gardening, Downshifting, Eco Living, Frugal Food, Goals, Ma Famille, Natural Health, Natural Living, Oh so Blessed, Repairing Damage | 15 Comments

Our Best Activity So Far This Week

Posted on January 10, 2013 by

Lately I’ve ended each day asking my children a couple of philosophy type questions like “how do you know you are awake” and “what is the purpose of life”. Their faces are precious as I ask what they see as “very … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013 Goals, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Giving, Good For The Soul, Lessons Learned, Ma Famille, Media & Culture, Motherhood | 8 Comments

When The World Hurts: Sharing Burdens

Posted on December 29, 2012 by

Friday night we said a prayer as a family for a man somewhere in Ontario who had called in the CBC Radio program Ontario Today and shared a story about his little boy’s love for lego. I could tell where the … Continue reading →

Posted in Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Media & Culture | 8 Comments

31 Days Of Nothing (Excess)

Posted on December 29, 2012 by

I mentioned one of my major goals for 2013 was for my family to be involved in a 31 days of nothing project (though personally, I think it isn’t right to call it “nothing” because if you have food you … Continue reading →

Posted in 2013 Goals, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Beans and Rice Budget, Budget, Do something, Easy Ways To Make A Difference, extreme frugality, Family Life, Giving, Goals, Month Of Nothing, Orphan Care, Parenting | 39 Comments

Merriment

Posted on December 26, 2012 by

There was no big tree (we did have a 3 foot “elf” tree purchased for $20 and donned with fairtrade ornaments), minimal decorations (a collection of four trees made from repurposed metal from a local barn, some ruby red beads on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Frugal Living, Holidays/Vacations, Inventing My Life, Love, Ma Famille, Making and Crafting, Media & Culture | 14 Comments

Slowly

Posted on December 1, 2012 by

Thank you for all your kind comments, and advice. In all my years of nannying and fostering, well I never once encountered life when children have the stomach flu. Oh, it was a rude awakening. I’m amazed at how right you all … Continue reading →

Posted in Advice Needed, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Ma Famille, New Beginnings, Parenting, reducing stress, Repairing Damage, Simple Living and Reducing Stress, Simple Parenting | 7 Comments

In Our Kitchen

Posted on November 26, 2012 by

Back in November, with the move and a hard look at finances, I decided I had no choice but to set some limits. Limits which were possible, but also limits which did not sacrifice what matters to us: kindness, green … Continue reading →

Posted in $60 Week Grocery Budget, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Beans and Rice Budget, Being Gentle and Kind, Budget, Frugal Food, Frugal Living, Menu Plan | 11 Comments

On My Mind

Posted on November 21, 2012 by

Poverty. During an exhausting week, when there was much on my mind here (note, I was far too self focused), I took a moment to put Frontline on late yesterday evening and watched Poor Kids. An excellent documentary about children growing … Continue reading →

Posted in Adoption, All Things Bright and Beautiful, Be Part Of The Solution Not The Problem, Being Gentle and Kind, Budgeting for Holidays, ChinaKidz, Christmas Angel To An Orphan Program, Do something, Downshifting, Easy Ways To Make A Difference, Fairtrade, Family Life, Finding Myself, Frugal Parenting, Help A Family Friday, Holidays/Vacations, Human Rights, It's Not About Self, Life Is Beautiful, Love, Ma Famille | 19 Comments